Mecca

A Journey Beyond a Destination

In the Quran,
God instructs Abraham to build a shrine known as the Ka’aba
to serve as a focal point and safe sanctuary for the people (Verse 2:125).
This cube-like structure, located within the city of Mecca, was intended
as a symbolic center for people of all cultures to convene and share in
a common bond of worship. The diverse flow of worshipers arriving from
different parts of the world to one location would allow peo-ple to witness
and confirm the rituals preserved from the time of Abraham and return
to their communities as witnesses among their own people (22:78).

The interaction of worshipers would allow people to share their experiences,
learn from each

other, assess their own level of faith, and
keep informed about the needs or events facing the world. Physical differences
and prejudices could be set aside as people would feel the unity of being
one under the same Creator while reflecting on their role in serving
God and those around them. People returning with this rejuvenated feeling
would be an example for others and could help strengthen the bond between
neighbors, friends and loved ones. This harmony would promote what God
views as the best community; one that advocates righteousness, invites
to what is good and forbids evil (3:110).

The pilgrimage to Ka’aba was continued after Abraham by Moses,
Jesus, Muhammad a

their followers who journeyed to this focal
point to worship the same God and preach a common message.

Traces of this history are still evident when you pray in Mecca. For
a brief five minutes, you can witness and feel the meaning of what God
had originally intended for this journey. You stand in prayer with an
80 year old Moroccan to your right and a tall statuesque African to your
left, surrounded by a circular sea of rows formed from different shapes
and nationalities. All prejudice and judgment is drowned by the collective
sound of praise for one God. Exterior shells are removed to reveal souls
that share the same color and form.